Acting on impulse

Theft is more common when the economy is down but shoplifting can signal a serious disorder. 

- MARC WILSON

It's Tuesday lunchtime and several emails have come in asking, "I'm writing an article about why someone with a high salary would shoplift, and I'd love to chat to a forensic psychologist about it," and, "We're doing an explainer this afternoon on why people shoplift and are looking for comment from an expert in psychology. I wondered if you or anyone from your team would be available to speak about this today?"

I'd be surprised if you haven't made the connection - Green MP Golriz Ghahraman had just resigned after allegations of shoplifting. But if you're the email recipient and you've been in a media blackout, say, over the holidays, this is a wee bit naughty. There's the risk that someone might agree to a chat, only to then find out it's about a specific person.

In my field, we have to be really careful about providing commentary on real people, particularly if the story has anything to do with mental health.